Blog

Education is ever-changing and growing, just like our children. With all of the buzzwords in education, it is difficult to keep up. Do you know the difference between personalized learning, blended learning, and differentiated instruction? If you feel that you are being left out of conversations on education due to the terminology, you are not alone. In able to support and educate you, the following list of terms will provide a foundation from which you can refer.

Blended Learning - When you hear the term “blended learning,” instead of thinking of a mix of different learning techniques, think instead of blended learning as learning that merges in-class instructional methods with digital methods. The term “blended learning” falls into many categories. A course created in a blended learning model might use the classroom time for activities that include online learning, independent study, and the inclusion of technology, such as video-taped lectures.

Flipped Classroom - The “little sister” to blended learning is flipped classroom. Flipped classrooms typically indicate a class model where students watch a teacher-created video at home. Flipped classrooms, however, are more about how teachers can best utilize classroom time with students. Is a teacher’s time spent in the classroom by lecturing a new topic, or is spending time with students one-on-one a better use of that time? With a flipped classroom, a teacher can create a video for student at-home viewing, and the topic can be reinforced and supported when the student is back in the classroom.

Student-Centered Learning - The first step in achieving a student-centered learning environment is for students to know why they are learning a topic, which promotes an environment where the student takes responsibility for learning. Rather than have students rely on the teacher to make the primary learning decisions, students can have a say-so in their learning. Student-centered learning involves brainstorming, collaboration, and decision-making - all led by the student. ​

Differentiated Instruction - Rather than thinking of differentiated instruction as a specific program, envision it as a method of teaching. Differentiated instruction is a way for educators to enhance the potential for a student to learn. Some examples of differentiated instruction include group work, problem solving, diverse learning styles, and ongoing assessments. With differentiated learning, teachers can adapt lessons in order to accommodate the different learning styles of their students.

Digital Citizen and Digital Footprint - While the Oxford English Dictionary originally defined digital as “of or pertaining to a finger, or to the fingers or digits,” some time after the 1940’s engineers developed a type of computing machine. When the OED2 rewrote the definition for digital it was defined as “applied to a computer which operates on data in the form of digital or similar discrete elements.” The idea of a digital citizen is one who thinks and acts responsibly in a digital world. Proper digital citizens should be concerned with how they are perceived online in a social media context. A good digital citizen will act in a responsible manner when making decisions that will impact their lives and the lives of others, and they will respect the rights and privacy of others. Since our digital actions can be viewed, forwarded, and even edited, it is vital that our youth understand the importance of the permanency of the Internet. This permanent “footprint” can be thought of as our digital footprint.

Game-Based Learning and Gamification - The numbers don't lie - the Entertainment Software Association states that more than 150 million Americans play video games, with 27% of those being under the age of 18. The gaming industry has been making inroads into education, with products such as Minecraft.edu, a game that promotes “creativity and collaboration” in a world that the player creates. Gamification incorporates games into everyday environments, such as educational, corporate, and healthcare. Game-Based Learning means adding electronic games in a lesson plan. For learning to occur, various goals need to be met, such as motivation, practice, feedback, and the ability to show that we have mastered a subject. Game-based learning meets these needs by using the skills of collaborating, collecting, problem-solving, and exploring.

Personalized learning - Similar to differentiated instruction, personalized learning describes “a methodology, rather than just a set of goals," according to Andrew Calkins, of the nonprofit organization, EDUCAUSE.Personalized Learning reinforces the idea that "the default perspective is the student's—not the curriculum, or the teacher." Personalized learning assists the student in progressing at their own pace and reinforces that there is an overall understanding of student’s needs. Personalized learning can include project-based lessons, mentoring, goal setting, and flexible learning spaces.

While the buzzwords of education come and go, the intent and message stay the same. We want what is best for our students and our children.

ABOUT

The Learning Crush blog offers ideas and reflections on technology and education. Enjoy!